One of the leading publishing editors of the later 20th century, Judith Jones is also passionate about food—she published Julia Child's first book, and her authors list reads like a who's who of classic cookbooks. Her own first cookbook, written with her husband Evan in 1981, is this delightful paean to baking one's own bread as a family activity. Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! offers more than 40 recipes for grownups and kids to work together, from French Bread, Pear Bread, and Flowerpot Bread to Buttermilk Pancakes, Hot Cross Buns, and Peanut Butter Muffins. Wire-bound to lie flat on the counter, it has a heavy laminated cover for durability and is illustrated throughout.

"This book is a gem. Written by a passionate bread baker who has not bought a loaf of bread for the many years I have known her, it is filled with wonderful, but disappearing recipes such as Bubble Bread, a great stack of caramel-coated bread balls all piled into a big tube pan, and Popovers, a miracle of the power of three little eggs that puff dough high into golden breads. Tested with children, the recipes are easy to follow and to understand. This is the best book for children and grown-ups who have even a faint wish to try baking at home."—Marion Cunningham